To provide context for those reading Pt.04 first, the timeframe for this story is 1972 (before cell phones)
I stirred and stretched in the comfortable bed. My eyes were still closed to the early morning light but then I heard two quiet voices near the door to the room. Opening my eyes a bit I could see Mr. Ashton in a white bathrobe along with a young man who was wheeling in a cart with a coffee pot and cups. I remained still in the big bed and watched as the hotel employee placed the cart in the location Mr. Ashton requested and then hand the young man some cash. "Wow," exclaimed the employee. "Thank you very much sir. I appreciate it a lot!"
"You're welcome," whispered Mr. Ashton as he pointed at the bed where I rested.
"Oh, forgive me sir," responded the young employee in a hushed voice. "Have a good day, sir," he whispered as he quietly exited the hotel room.
I turned over onto my back and sat up a bit in the bed. "Good morning, sir" I said in my hoarse morning voice.
"I'm sorry if we woke you, Mike" said Mr. Ashton as he approached the bed. "I don't think the room service guy noticed that someone was still sleeping."
"It's okay, sir" I responded as I tried to free the sleep from my eyes. "I was partially awake. What time is it, sir?
Sitting on the bed next to me, Mr. Ashton smiled and said: "It's almost 7:00 am. Also, I have good news. The power is back on here at the hotel. However, some parts of the town and the university are still without power. I got all of this news from the front desk captain earlier this morning."
A little confused and still trying to wake up I asked: "How long have you been awake, sir?"
"Since 5:30," said Mr. Ashton. "I'm an early riser, Mike but you were fast asleep, and I didn't want to disturb you, so I put on my sweatpants and shirt and went to the front desk to see about the road conditions."
Even through my sleepy eyes Mr. Ashton's smile was so very engaging. I yawned and stretched my arms to try and wake up a bit more. "I really slept well," I said through my still waking voice.
Mr. Ashton chuckled and said: "That's probably because I wore you out in our...er...our...workout last night."
I blushed hard and he laughed heartily. "I love it when you blush," chuckled Mr. Ashton. ""For me, it's a genuine sign of your innocence. Now how about having a cup of coffee with me?"
"I would love a cup of coffee, sir" I said. "But first, I need to pee." Hearing myself say that just made me blush again and look away from my handsome host.
I threw back the covers of the bed and as I stood up Mr. Ashton drew me in tightly to his muscular body and in a low, gravelly voice once again said: "Good morning, Mike." He smiled and then kissed me gently on the lips as his hands rubbed my lower back and then made their way to my bare ass.
Then, in a move that I think surprised both of us, I held him tightly and returned the kiss but fully, deeply and most decidedly more than a 'good morning' peck. As I released my arms from their embrace, I saw Mr. Ashton's eyes were filled with surprise. But it was clearly a good surprise because he gave me a devilish smile and a wink.
Then, in one quick movement, he turned me around and with his large hand gave me a sound slap on my bare ass saying: "Ok. Go pee. There's a bathrobe for you in the bathroom. I'll get the coffee ready."
I stood there for a moment trying to rub out the sudden sting on my butt when he laughed and said "GO!"
Once in the bathroom, I took my usual long morning piss. However, as I stood at the toilet, I thought about Aaron. I was supposed to meet with him that very afternoon. How could I even face him after what had happened last night? What would I say? My mind was filled with contradictory messages. But then I heard Mr. Ashton whistling softly in the main room so I washed my hands and face, slipped on the robe and went back out to the room.
Sitting down at the small table I watched as Mr. Ashton poured the coffee. It smelled great and for me it was an important daily ritual. I took a sip and just closed my eyes. "Tastes great," I said and Mr. Ashton just smiled and winked again. Then his facial expression changed and he became a bit more serious.
"Mike," he said, "I need to say this so please just listen."
I looked up at him and could feel my stomach tighten with apprehension.
He continued: "Mike, I suspect that I crossed a boundary last night. I realize that you and my son are friends and you have helped him so very much with his studies. In fact, even with all of the tutors my wife and I hired when Aaron was in high school, you are the first one that seems to have gotten through to him. I am truly grateful to you."
Then there was a long silence and in my squeaky, morning voice I asked: "Is there more, Mr. Ashton?"
"Yes," he replied without hesitation. "There is more. For me, last night was simply amazing. You are a personable young man and I enjoyed every minute of our conversation in the restaurant and in the car. But I knew that I wanted more and when you agreed to come back here with me, I was hopeful that I might work up the courage to just kiss you."